Santa Anita trends update for March 2

With a stakes-laden card Saturday, March 6, including the Santa Anita H. (G1), the Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1), and the San Felipe (G2), let's make the most of your handicapping at the Great Race Place!

Jockeys

In the saddle, watch Flavien Prat and Umberto Rispoli.

They've been hot lately. Prat won five races from 16 starts in the last week, and Rispoli won on four of his 13 mounts. However, they're both more than a recent trend. Among regular jockeys, they lead by win percentage. Rispoli has a meet-best 28% win rate (31 wins, 111 starts), and Prat isn't far behind, at 25% (44 wins, 177 starts).

Make sure to give a couple other riders a good look on the main track. Joel Rosario leads all regular riders with a 29% dirt win rate (14 wins, 48 starts) and Juan Hernandez clicks at 26% (22 wins, 84 starts).

Trainers

Looking at the trainers with the most wins at Santa Anita this year reveals some usual suspects — Doug O'Neill (20), Peter Miller (18), and Bob Baffert (17) lead the table. But looking by percentage unveils some smaller barns that are having stellar meets.

Among trainers with more than 10 starts, Eric Kruljac leads at 31% (five wins, 16 starts), though he has just one in-the-money finish other than his wins. Andrew Lerner is also doing well, with a 29% win rate (five wins, 17 starts) and 53% of runners in the money. Richard Mandella is also having his customary strong meet. He is winning at a 28% rate (10 wins, 36 starts), with 55% in the money.

Weather

Especially for Saturday, make sure to keep an eye on the weather. As of Monday evening, Saturday afternoon's forecast in Arcadia, Calif. indicates a chance for scattered showers. There is plenty of time for that to change, but keep that in mind, in case you need to mark your mudders or identify turf horses who like ground with a little more give than the usual California firm.

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For further information about recent trends at Santa Anita, make sure to read the latest "Santa Anita at a glance" on Brisnet!